The giant inflatable shark that sometimes looms over downtown Silver Spring during Discovery Communication’s “Shark Week” will once again remain stored away this summer.
But the entertainment company is planning to dress up its Silver Spring headquarters somewhat during this year’s edition of wall-to-wall shark-related television programming.
Discovery put out an online survey of three shark murals it’s considering for the south façade of its building along Colesville Road.
The three possible designs (Discovery has billed it as a “building takeover”) include “Love Bites,” an image of a shark in front of a partially chomped heart, “Jawsome” and “I Heart Shark.”
Discovery will display the winning design during this year’s Shark Week, which will start July 5—earlier than ever in the 28-year run of the week-long programming block. This year’s Shark Week will also run longer than a week.
“Chompie,” the giant inflatable shark that sometimes is attached to the building, was last used during Shark Week in 2012. It was the event’s 25th anniversary.
The shark, which also appeared in 2006 and 2010, was made of 11,720 yards of fabric, almost seven miles’ worth. A shark head was attached to one side of the building, while two side fins, a dorsal fin and tail were attached to the other sides of the building and its roof.
It took 10 air blowers blowing 2,000 cubic feet of air per minute to keep the five pieces inflated, which had to be installed with a crane and tied down with cables and ropes.
The three Shark Week design options up for a vote in an online poll. Credit: Discovery Communications
